Dean of Students gets $25K grant

Dean of Students gets $25K grant

The Dean of Students office was awarded a $25,000 grant from the Texas attorney general’s office to help provide services for victims of sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, harassment and stalking.

The Other Victim Assistance Grants application was submitted in May and required an outline of future costs, including personnel, consultant services, equipment, travel, supplies and other direct operating expenses. Most of the grant will be used to hire a graduate student assistant.

Assistant director for student advocacy Renee McNamara said the maximum request was $30,000. Some money will be used for costs following an act of violence.

“We know we have that pod of money now, so if a student comes to us and maybe they needed a hotel room or something for a night, it helps cover things like that,” McNamara said.

Victims can get crime victims compensation from the state, but a police report must have been filed for the person to be eligible. Sometimes students aren’t sure if they want to call the police right away or aren’t sure they want to report, McNamara said.

The grant has created a fund to provide more services and help students more quickly.

“We’ll be able to provide more to our students, and that’s what our goal is ultimately, to help students out,” McNamara said. “Anything we can do to help support our students and let them know that they’re not alone right now.”

Dean of students Maureen McGuinness said this is the second grant the office has received while she has been the dean and that they plan to apply for the grant every year and search for other grants offered as well.

“I’m excited that we’re finding more avenues to make sure that we’re taking care of our students that are victims of sexual assault and intimate partner violence,” McGuinness said.

Most of the grant will be used toward hiring a graduate assistant to help McNamara with victim services, such as dorm room changes, contacting professors and setting up follow-up appointments.

“It’s amazing to see how many students know Renee is now here and need her help,” McGuinness said. “So she needs help, and to get a GA and have that paid for by the attorney general is pretty awesome.”

McGuinness said they have started their search for a graduate assistant majoring in counseling, social work or higher education. The position is currently posted on the Eagle Network and at the career center.

Featured Image: Renee LeClaire McNamara is a part of the growing team at victim services who just received a $25,000 grant which will be used to hire a graduate student. Matthew Brown | Senior Staff Photographer